Work tool transporting and support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A convertible apparatus for transporting and supporting a work tool at a work site. The apparatus includes a support frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. A base member extends from the support frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support frame and stabilizes the support frame in its vertical, working position. A primary wheel assembly is mounted to the support frame opposite the base member such that the primary wheel assembly and the base member stabilize the support frame in its vertical, working position. A work platform is mounted to the second end of the support frame and is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The work platform is supported in its extended position by a pair of brace members that extend from opposite sides of the work platform. The brace members are each received within a locking device to secure the work platform in an extended position. The locking devices can be released to allow the work platform to move from the extended position to the collapsed position. A handle is positionable on the convertible apparatus in a first position perpendicular to the support frame and a second position parallel to the support frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for manuallytransporting and supporting a work tool at a desired location at a worksite. More specifically, the present invention relates to a convertibleapparatus that can transport a work tool in a horizontal, transportposition and can be manipulated to support the work tool in an upright,working position.

Power tools, such as miter saws, sanders, table saws and grinders, areoften needed to perform work operations in more than one location on aconstruction or work site. Since large power tools, such as thosedescribed above, are oftentimes large and cumbersome and have unevenweight distribution, transporting these work tools from one location ata work site to another, or from a vehicle to the work site, can bedifficult. Often moving such work tools requires more than one worker orthe use of a hand truck. When an upright hand truck is employed, thework tool is frequently supported on the toe plate of the hand truck inan unsecured manner, creating the potential for damage to the work toolif the work tool falls from the toe plate.

Once the work tool has been transported to the desired location at thework site, the work tool must be positioned in a convenient location forproper use. For example, it is desirable to have a work tool such as amiter saw or table saw positioned at least at waist height in order toensure the ease of operation of the work tool. Proper support of thework tool can require that the work tool be placed on a level surface orbe securely fastened to a table or machine stand. However, depending onthe particular work site, these conditions may not be available andsomething less than ideal might have to be settled for. In either event,a worker must lift the work tool off of the hand truck and into theoperating position, creating a risk of injury to the worker. Thepotential for injury is further increased if the work tool must beoperated in a position that is less than ideal, as described above.

In addition to the problems associated with moving a work tool to thedesired location at a work site, once the tool is no longer needed atthe work site, the tool must be loaded into a work truck. Since the worktool is oftentimes heavy and cumbersome, more than one worker is againrequired to load the work tool onto the truck or other transportationdevice.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide aconvertible transporting and supporting apparatus for use with a worktool. It is an additional object of the present invention to providesuch an apparatus that is convertible between a working position and atransport position such that the apparatus and attached work tool can beboth easily transported and functional in presenting the work tool at anacceptable operating height once at the work site. Further, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a convertible apparatus thatincludes a removable handle member that allows the handle to be usedwhen the convertible apparatus is in both the horizontal, transportposition and the vertical working position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a convertible apparatus that can be used totransport a work tool around a work site and can be converted into anupright, working position to support and position the work tool at adesired, usable height. The convertible apparatus includes a back,support frame that includes a pair of spaced support tubes each of whichextend parallel to a longitudinal axis. The support frame of theconvertible apparatus extends between a first end and a second end andforms the backbone of the apparatus.

The convertible apparatus includes a base member that extends from thefirst end of the support frame in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support frame. The base member contacts theground to stabilize the convertible apparatus when the convertibleapparatus is in its upright, working position. A pair of lower bracesextend from opposite sides of the base member and are each attached toone of the support tubes of the support frame. The base membersstrengthen the perpendicular connection between the support frame andthe base member such that the apparatus can support the weight of thework tool when the apparatus is in its upright, working position. Aprimary wheel assembly is mounted to the first end of the support frameopposite the mounting connection between the support frame and the basemember. The primary wheel assembly aids in supporting the apparatus inthe upright, working position and also allows the convertible apparatusto be transported for short distances when in the upright, workingposition.

The convertible apparatus includes a work platform that is mounted to amounting platform secured to the support frame. The work platform ispivotally mounted to the mounting platform and is movable between anextended position and a collapsed position. When the convertibleapparatus is in its upright, working position, the work platform can beextended such that the work tool secured to the work platform ispresented in the proper orientation for use by a worker.

The convertible apparatus includes a pair of braces that are connectedto the work platform to support the work platform when the work platformis in its extended position. Each of the braces extend from one side ofthe work platform and are each received within a locking device mountedto the support frame. The locking devices include a locking handle thatcan be tightened to secure the brace within a stationary position. Whenthe work platform is moved to its extended position, the locking deviceis tightened such that the braces can no longer move through the lockingdevice. In this manner, the pair of braces are used to support andstabilize the work platform in its extended position.

When the convertible apparatus is to be moved around the work site, thelocking devices are loosened and the work platform is moved from itsextended position to its collapsed position. When the work platformmoves to the collapsed position, a securing pin passes through a hole inthe work platform to retain the work platform in its collapsed position.Once the work platform has been stabilized, the support frame is movedfrom the upright, working position to a horizontal, transport position.When the convertible apparatus is in the horizontal, transport position,a secondary wheel assembly attached to the second end of the supportframe supports the apparatus on the ground along with the primary wheelassembly.

The secondary wheel assembly includes a pair of wheel tubes that extendperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support frame. Each of thewheel tubes is attached to one of the support tubes of the support frameby an angle bracket.

The convertible apparatus includes a removable handle that is attachableto the support frame in both a first position and a second position.When the handle is in the first position, the handle is received withinthe spaced support tubes of the support frame and extends parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the support frame. When the handle is in thesecond position, the handle is received within the wheel tubes and thusextends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support frame. Themovement of the handle between the first position and the secondposition allows the handle to be used to move the apparatus when theapparatus is in both the upright, working position and the horizontal,transport position.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will bemade apparent from the following description taken together with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible apparatus for transportingand supporting a work tool in its vertical, working position;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating the convertible apparatusof the present invention in which the work platform and attached worktool are moved to the collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the convertible apparatus of the presentinvention in its horizontal, transport position;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the apparatus of the presentinvention in its vertical, working position and the work platform in itscollapsed, transport position;

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 in which the work platform is inthe extended, working position;

FIG. 6 is a partial section view taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 4illustrating the securing pin used to secure the work platform in thecollapsed position;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 5illustrating one of the locking devices used to secure the work platformin its extended position; and

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8—8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereshown is a convertible apparatus 10 fortransporting and supporting a work tool 12. The convertible apparatus 10of the present invention is generally convertible between an upright,vertical working position as shown in FIG. 1, which positions the worktool 12 at a convenient height, and a horizontal, transport position asillustrated in FIG. 3. When the convertible apparatus is in thetransport position of FIG. 3, the work tool 12 can be easily movedaround a construction site.

The convertible apparatus 10 includes a support frame 14 including apair of spaced hollow support tubes 16 joined to each other by at leasta pair of cross braces 18. The support frame 14 generally extends alonga longitudinal axis between a first end 20 and a second end 22. As canbe seen in FIG. 2, when the convertible apparatus 10 is in the upright,vertical working position, the first end 20 of the support frame 14 ispositioned in contact with the ground, while the second end 22 isapproximately three feet above the ground.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the convertible apparatus 10 includes a basemember 24 that extends perpendicularly from the first end 20 of thesupport frame 14. Base member 24 is securely attached to a toe plate 26,which is in turn attached to the support frame 14, as best shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The base member 24 is preferably formed from and issecured to the metallic toe plate 26 in any conventional manner, such asrivets or bolts. As can be understood in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base member24 is substantially larger than the toe plate 26 and thus provides asubstantially larger surface area that contacts the ground when theconvertible apparatus 10 is in the upright, vertical working position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a pair of brace members 28 extendbetween the top surface of the base member 24 and one of the supporttubes 16 of the support frame 14. Each of the brace members 28 is formedfrom metal and has a generally L-shaped cross-section. The brace members28 provide additional support for the support frame 14 when theconvertible apparatus 10 is in the upright, working position of FIG. 1.

When the convertible apparatus 10 is in the upright, working position ofFIGS. 1 and 2, a primary wheel assembly 30 contacts the ground alongwith the base member 24 to aid in supporting the convertible apparatus10 in its upright position. The primary wheel assembly 30 includes apair of wheels 32 each mounted to a wheel axle 34. The wheel axle 34extends through a pair of mounting brackets 36, each of which areattached to one of the two support tubes 16. As can best be seen in FIG.2, each of the mounting brackets 36 extends from the support frame 14 ina direction opposite to the base member 24.

The primary wheel assembly 30 includes a locking pin 38 that can bepositioned to engage the wheel 32 to prevent the wheel 32 from rotating.The locking pin 38 is particularly useful to prevent the apparatus 10from inadvertently moving when the convertible apparatus 10 is in itshorizontal, transport position as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the convertible apparatus 10 of the presentinvention includes a work platform 40 that is pivotally movable betweenthe extended position shown in FIG. 1 and the collapsed position shownin FIG. 2. The work platform 40 provides a surface to which the worktool 12 can be securely mounted. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the work tool 12 is amiter saw that is securely fastened to the work platform 40 by a seriesof conventional connectors. When the convertible apparatus 10 is in itsupright, working position and the work platform 40 is in its extendedposition, the work tool 12 is positioned approximately three to fourfeet above the ground, which is a nearly ideal position for use by aworker.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the work platform 40 is attached to a mountingplatform 42 by a hinge assembly 44. The hinge assembly 44 allows thework platform 40 to move from the collapsed position of FIG. 4 to theextended position of FIG. 5. The mounting platform 42 is connectedbetween the pair of support tubes 16 by a series of metallic bands 46and screw connectors, as best shown in FIG. 2. The mounting platform 42is preferably formed from wood and provides a stable point of attachmentbetween the work platform 40 and the support frame 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the work platform 40 is supported in itsextended position by a pair of braces 48. Each of the braces 48 has anupper end 50 journaled within a mounting bracket 52 attached to thebottom surface of the work platform 40. The lower end 54 of each of thebraces 48 is received within a locking device 56, as seen in FIG. 1. Thelocking devices 56 extend from opposite sides of the support frame 14and are mounted to the support frame 14 by a mounting block 58. As canbe seen in FIG. 2, the mounting block 58 is secured between the pair ofspaced support tubes 16 by a pair of metallic bands 59.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the locking devices 56 includesa hollow body 60 attached to the mounting block 58. The hollow body 60includes an expanded inner end 61 that is trapped behind an end plate 62attached to the mounting block 58. The outer end 63 of the hollow body60 is internally threaded and receives the threaded shaft 64 of thelocking handle 65.

The brace 48 passes through an opening formed in the hollow body 60 suchthat the brace 48 is freely movable into and out of the hollow body 60.The threaded shaft 64 of the locking handle 65 includes an inner endthat can be tightened into contact with the brace 48 passing through thehollow body 60. When the locking handle 65 is sufficiently tightened,the brace 48 is pressed into contact with the outer walls of the hollowbody 60 such that the brace 48 is held in a stationary position. As canbe understood in FIG. 1, when each of the braces 48 is locked into astationary position, the braces 48 serve as supports to hold the workplatform 40 in its horizontal, extended position.

If it is desired to move the work platform 40 from the extended positionof FIG. 1 to the collapsed position of FIG. 2, the locking handles 65are loosened to permit the braces 48 to freely move within the hollowbody 60, as can be understood in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the locking handles65 have been sufficiently loosened, the braces 48 can freely passthrough the locking devices 56 and the work platform 40 can be loweredto the collapsed position. As can be understood in FIGS. 1 and 2, theoverall weight of the work tool 12 must be supported by the braces 48 inorder to prevent the work platform 40 from moving to the collapsedposition shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the locking devices 56 are required tosupport the work platform 40 against the weight of the work tool 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting block 58 includes asecuring pin 66 that extends from the face of the mounting block 58.When the work platform 40 is moved to its collapsed position as shown inFIG. 4, the securing pin 66 passes through a hole 67 formed in the workplatform, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Once the securing pin 66 haspassed through the hole 67, a cotter pin 68 can be inserted through theouter end of the securing pin 66 to hold the work platform 40 in thecollapsed position of FIG. 4. In this manner, the work platform 40 canbe held in a secure position during transportation.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the securing pin 66 includes a threadedportion 70 that receives a mating nut 72 and washer 74 to fix thesecuring pin 66 to the mounting block 58. A shoulder member 76accurately positions the securing pin 66 on the mounting block 58 suchthat the correct length of the securing pin 66 extends through the hole67 formed in the work platform 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the convertible apparatus 10 furtherincludes a secondary wheel assembly 78 mounted to the second end 22 ofthe support frame 14. The secondary wheel assembly 78 includes a pair ofwheels 80 each mounted to a castor 82. The castors 82 allow the wheels80 to rotate when the convertible apparatus 10 is in the horizontal,transport position of FIG. 3. Referring back to FIG. 5, each of thecastors 82 and wheels 80 is mounted on a hollow wheel tube 84 that isjoined to one of the support tubes 16 of the support frame 14 by anangle bracket 86. The angle bracket 86 is welded to both the supporttube 16 of the support frame 14 and the wheel tube 84 of the secondarywheel assembly 78.

As can best be understood in FIG. 3, when the convertible apparatus 10is in the transport position, the wheels 32 of the primary wheelassembly 30 and the wheels 80 of the secondary wheel assembly 78 contactthe ground such that the convertible apparatus 10 can be easily movedaround a work site.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, a handle 87 having a pair of side bars 88joined by a cross bar 90 is attached to the convertible apparatus 10.Specifically, each of the side bars 88 are received in one of the wheeltubes 84 such that the handle 87 extends perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support frame 14. Thus, when the convertibleapparatus 10 is in the horizontal, transport position, the handle 87extends upward and the cross bar 90 can be grasped by the worker to pushthe convertible apparatus 10 around a work site.

Once the convertible apparatus has been moved to the desired position onthe work site, the handle 87 is pulled out of the wheel tubes 84 and theconvertible apparatus 10 is stood up to its vertical, working positionas shown in FIG. 2. Once the apparatus 10 is in the vertical, workingposition, the side bars 88 of the handle 87 are inserted into the pairof spaced support tubes 16 of the support frame 14, as shown in FIG. 2.Once the handle 88 has been installed as shown in FIG. 2, the handle 87can be used to move the convertible apparatus 10 around the work sitesupported by the pair of wheels 32 of the primary wheel assembly 30. Therepositioning of the handle 87 allows the convertible apparatus 10 to beeasily moved in both the vertical and the horizontal positions as shownin FIGS 2 and 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the convertible apparatus 10 further includesan electrical outlet box 92 mounted to the rear surface of the mountingplatform 42. The electrical outlet box 92 includes a plurality ofindividual outlets that can receive electrical plugs from additionalwork tools. The electrical outlet box 92 includes a cord 94 that can beconnected to a supply of electricity such that the electrical outlet box92 can be electrified and used to power additional work tools at thework site.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being withinthe scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

I claim:
 1. A convertible apparatus for transporting and supporting awork tool at a work site, the apparatus being convertible between atransport position and a working position, the apparatus comprising: asupport frame extending from a first end to a second end along alongitudinal axis; a base member extending from the first end of thesupport frame, the base member being perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the support frame, wherein the base member contacts the groundto stabilize the support frame when the support frame is in the workingposition; a work platform adapted to receive the work tool, the workplatform being pivotally mounted to the support frame near the secondend of the support frame, the work platform being movable between anextended position in which the work platform is perpendicular to thesupport frame and a collapsed position in which the work platform isparallel to the support frame; a primary wheel assembly mounted to thefirst end of the support frame opposite the base member, wherein theprimary wheel assembly and the base member stabilize the apparatus whenthe apparatus is in the working position; a secondary wheel assemblymounted to the second end of the support frame, wherein the secondarywheel assembly and the primary wheel assembly support the apparatus whenthe apparatus is in the transport position; a removable handleattachable to the support frame in a first position and a secondposition, wherein the handle is parallel to the support frame in thefirst position and perpendicular to the support frame in the secondposition; a pair of braces each extending between the support frame andthe work platform, the braces being movable to an extended position tosupport the work platform when the work platform is in the extendedposition and being collapsible to a retracted position to permit thework platform to move in the collapsed position; and a pair of lockingdevices each positioned to receive one of the braces, the lockingdevices being operable to lock each of the brace members in the extendedposition and releasable to allow the braces to move to the retractedposition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of lowerbraces extending between the base member and the support frame, whereinthe lower braces support the base member when the work platform is inits extended position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of thelocking devices includes a hollow body and a locking handle threadedlyreceived within the hollow body, wherein the brace is slidable throughthe hollow body and the locking handle is movable to secure the bracewithin the hollow body.
 4. A convertible apparatus for transporting andsupporting a work tool at a work site, the apparatus being convertiblebetween a transport position and a working position, the apparatuscomprising: a support frame extending from a first end to a second endalong a longitudinal axis; a base member extending from the first end ofthe support frame, the base member being perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support frame, wherein the base member contactsthe ground to stabilize the support frame when the support frame is inthe working position;
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising anelectrical outlet box attached to the mounting platform, the electricaloutlet box having a plurality of outlets each adapted to receive a plugmember.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the support frame includes apair of parallel spaced hollow tubes extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis and the secondary wheel assembly includes a pair ofhollow wheel tubes extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,wherein when the handle is in the first position, the handle is receivedwithin the hollow support tubes of the support frame and when the handleis in the second position, the handle is received within the wheeltubes.
 7. A convertible apparatus for transporting and supporting a worktool at a work site, the apparatus being convertible between a transportposition and a working position, the apparatus comprising: a supportframe extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinalaxis; a base member extending from the first end of the support frame,the base member being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thesupport frame, wherein the base member contacts the ground to stabilizethe support frame when the support frame is in the working position; awork platform adapted to receive the work tool, the work platform beingpivotally mounted to the support frame near the second end of thesupport frame, the work platform being movable between an extendedposition in which the work platform is perpendicular to the supportframe and a collapsed position in which the work platform is parallel tothe support frame; a securing pin extending from the support frame, thesecuring pin being receivable within a hole formed in the work platformsuch that the securing pin is received within the hole in the workplatform to retain the work platform in its collapsed position; aprimary wheel assembly mounted to the first end of the support frameopposite the base member, wherein the primary wheel assembly and thebase member stabilize the apparatus when the apparatus is in the workingposition; a secondary wheel assembly mounted to the second end of thesupport frame, wherein the secondary wheel assembly and the primarywheel assembly support the apparatus when the apparatus is in thetransport position; and a removable handle attachable to the supportframe in a first position and a second position, wherein the handle isparallel to the support frame in the first position and perpendicular tothe support frame in the second position.
 8. A convertible apparatus fortransporting and supporting a work tool at a work site, the apparatusbeing convertible between a horizontal, transport position and avertical working position, the apparatus comprising: a support frameextending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a secondend, the support frame including a pair of spaced hollow support tubes;a base member extending from the first end of the support frame, thebase member extending in a first direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support frame wherein the base member contactsthe ground to stabilize the support frame when the support frame is inthe vertical working position; a work platform adapted to receive thework tool, the work platform being pivotally mounted to the supportframe near the second end of the support frame, the work platform beingmovable between an extended position in which the work platform extendsin the first direction perpendicular to the support frame and acollapsed position in which the work platform is parallel to the supportframe; a pair of braces each extending between the support frame and thework platform, the braces being movable to an extended position tosupport the work platform when the work platform is in the extendedposition and being movable to a position to permit the work platform tomove to the collapsed position; a mounting platform attachable betweenthe pair of support tubes of the support frame, wherein the workplatform is pivotally mounted to the mounting platform; a primary wheelassembly mounted to the first end of the support frame opposite the basemember, wherein the primary wheel assembly and the base member supportthe apparatus when the apparatus is in the vertical working position; asecondary wheel assembly mounted to the second end of the support frame,the secondary wheel assembly including a pair of spaced wheel tubes eachhaving a secondary wheel member, wherein the pair of secondary wheelmembers and the primary wheel assembly support the apparatus when theapparatus is in the horizontal, transport position; and a removablehandle attachable to the support frame in both a first position and asecond position, wherein the handle is received within the pair ofspaced support tubes and is parallel to the support frame in the firstposition and is received within the wheel tubes of the secondary wheelassembly and is perpendicular to the support frame in the secondposition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a pair of lowerbraces, each lower brace extending between the base member and one ofthe support tubes of the support frame, wherein the pair of lower bracessupport the base member when the work platform is in the extendedposition.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an electricaloutlet box attached to the mounting platform, the electrical outlet boxhaving a plurality of outlets each adapted to receive a plug member. 11.A convertible apparatus for transporting and supporting a work tool at awork site, the apparatus being convertible between a horizontal,transport position and a vertical working position, the apparatuscomprising: a support frame extending along a longitudinal axis betweena first end and a second end, the support frame including a pair ofspaced hollow support tubes; a base member extending from the first endof the support frame, the base member extending in a first directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support frame wherein thebase member contacts the ground to stabilize the support frame when thesupport frame is in the vertical working position; a work platformadapted to receive the work tool, the work platform being pivotallymounted to the support frame near the second end of the support frame,the work platform being movable between an extended position in whichthe work platform extends in the first direction perpendicular to thesupport frame and a collapsed position in which the work platform isparallel to the support frame; a pair of braces each extending betweenthe support frame and the work platform, the braces being movable to anextended position to support the work platform when the work platform isin the extended position and being movable to a position to permit thework platform to move to the collapsed position; a pair of lockingdevices each positioned to receive one of the braces to lock each of thebraces in the extended position to support the work platform andreleasable to allow the braces to move to the retracted position; aprimary wheel assembly mounted to the first end of the support frameopposite the base member, wherein the primary wheel assembly and thebase member support the apparatus when the apparatus is in the verticalworking position; a secondary wheel assembly mounted to the second endof the support frame, the secondary wheel assembly including a pair ofspaced wheel tubes each having a secondary wheel member, wherein thepair of secondary wheel members and the primary wheel assembly supportthe apparatus when the apparatus is in the horizontal, transportposition; and a removable handle attachable to the support frame in botha first position and a second position wherein the handle is receivedwithin the pair of spaced support tubes and is parallel to the supportframe in the first position and is received within the wheel tubes ofthe secondary wheel assembly and is perpendicular to the support framein the second position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each ofthe locking devices includes a hollow body and a locking handlethreadedly received within the hollow body, wherein the brace isslidable through the hollow body and the locking handle is movable tosecure the brace within the hollow body.
 13. A convertible apparatus fortransporting and supporting a work tool at a work site, the apparatusbeing convertible between a horiontal, transport position and a verticalworking position, the apparaturs comprising: a support frame extendingalong a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, thesupport frame including a pair of spaced hollow support tubes; a basemember extending from the first end of the support frame, the basemember extending in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the support frame wherein the base member contacts the ground tostabilize the support frame when the support frame is in the verticalworking position; a work platform adapted to receive the work tool, thework platform being pivotally mounted to the support frame near thesecond end of the support frame, the work platform being movable betweenan extended position in which the work platform extends in the firstdirection perpendicular to the support frame and a collapsed position inwhich the work platform is parallel to the support frame; a pair ofbraces each extending between the support frame and the work platform,the braces being movable to an extended position to support the workplatform when the work platform is in the extended position and beingmovable to a position to permit the work platform to move to thecollapsed position; a securing pin extending from the support frame, thesecuring pin being receivable within a hole formed in the work platformsuch that the securing pin is received within the hole in the workplatform to retain the work platform in its collapsed position; aprimary wheel assembly mounted to the first end of the support frameopposite the base member, wherein the primary wheel assembly and thebase member support the apparatus when the apparatus is in the verticalworking position; a secondary wheel assembly mounted to the second endof the support frame, the secondary wheel assembly including a pair ofspaced wheel tubes each having a secondary wheel member, wherein thepair of secondary wheel members and the primary wheel assembly supportthe apparatus when the apparatus is in the horizontal, transportposition; and a removable handle attachable to the support frame in botha first position and a second position wherein the handle is receivedwithin the pair of spaced support tubes and is parallel to the supportframe in the first position and is received within the wheel tubes ofthe secondary wheel assembly and is perpendicular to the support framein